Eugene O'Neill
America's greatest playwright!34 total reviews
Comment from Diana Harris
The flow of this one paces well, like a well trod stage. Rolling off the page, it illustrates how well you use a phrase. I like the choice of subject-he used life experience to showcase his work. This one shows a lot of depth, and I enjoyed it very well. Thank you! Diana
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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The flow of this one paces well, like a well trod stage. Rolling off the page, it illustrates how well you use a phrase. I like the choice of subject-he used life experience to showcase his work. This one shows a lot of depth, and I enjoyed it very well. Thank you! Diana
Comment Written 24-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thank you again for this! I greatly value your time, care and thoughts. I'm also delighted you enjoyed which means a lot to me. Take care Debbie
Comment from Paul McFarland
A remarkable poem and a remarkable set of notes. The meter and rhyme scheme that you chose are excellent. Most will not appreciate the time and effort that went into this poem.
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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A remarkable poem and a remarkable set of notes. The meter and rhyme scheme that you chose are excellent. Most will not appreciate the time and effort that went into this poem.
Comment Written 24-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thank you so much, Paul for this exceptional review which I greatly value from you! You're right about the time and effort so thank you also for appreciating that. It wasn't until I did my dribble flash fiction that I realised how hard I'm making this for myself:) But I love delving into people's backgrounds, no matter how dark. And this one seems to have topped the rest (for the moment). He seems to have poured all his troubles into his plays in order to make sense of them and nothing else really mattered. He wrote: "Writing is a vacation from living" and when his hand shook so much he could no longer write his plays, he literally waited for death. But a ground-breaker in the theatre bringing his own form of reality to bear. Thank you again. I'm delighted you found this of interest. Debbie
Comment from Goodadvicechan
Thank you for telling us his life story in the notes section.
You have done an excellent job to put his life story into your poem.
Your words help feel his life. Thanks again for sharing this wonderful piece.
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thank you for telling us his life story in the notes section.
You have done an excellent job to put his life story into your poem.
Your words help feel his life. Thanks again for sharing this wonderful piece.
Comment Written 24-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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And again, a bit thank you! I'm delighted you found it of interest and hopefully enjoyed. That means a lot. Debbie x
Comment from Paul Manton
Wonderful stuff, Debbie. I enjoyed your notes as much as the poem. I only know of Eugene O'Neill by reputation. I have never seen or read any of his work. But now I have read YOUR work, I am determined to put that right!
Obviously an icon of modern theater, but I did not know how groundbreaking he was. 4343 and abab faultless rhythm and rhyme, as always. You tell the whole story of this anguished man: the theatrical background, the profound differences between mum and dad, his six years aboard and his material decline - but it is his hauling himself up by the bootstraps which shows the strength of the man - and then his father's gift of Harvard - all this forged an unique talent. Then a summary of his major works, fleshed out in your wonderful notes.
Why am I always giving you sixes?
What a dumb rhetorical question!
Paul
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Wonderful stuff, Debbie. I enjoyed your notes as much as the poem. I only know of Eugene O'Neill by reputation. I have never seen or read any of his work. But now I have read YOUR work, I am determined to put that right!
Obviously an icon of modern theater, but I did not know how groundbreaking he was. 4343 and abab faultless rhythm and rhyme, as always. You tell the whole story of this anguished man: the theatrical background, the profound differences between mum and dad, his six years aboard and his material decline - but it is his hauling himself up by the bootstraps which shows the strength of the man - and then his father's gift of Harvard - all this forged an unique talent. Then a summary of his major works, fleshed out in your wonderful notes.
Why am I always giving you sixes?
What a dumb rhetorical question!
Paul
Comment Written 24-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thank you so much for this, Paul! I'm delighted you enjoyed the post and, even more, that you intend to learn more about him. That all means a great deal to me. He was very influenced by August Strindberg, the Swedish playwright and would give him full credit when receiving awards. But amazing achievements born out of such a trouble background (as usual it seems). He wrote: "Writing is a vacation from living." Nothing else seemed to matter. Thank you again for your time and thoughts, Paul. Debbie
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Thank YOU Debbie for enlightening me.
Very best wishes, Paul
Comment from lyenochka
Well even in his dying breath, he shows some irony in humor. Thank you for sharing about this interesting writer's life. One has to wonder if the tragedy in childhood is a requirement to be a good writer? I wonder how many famous writers actually had a happy life? I'm sure you will uncover some for us!
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Well even in his dying breath, he shows some irony in humor. Thank you for sharing about this interesting writer's life. One has to wonder if the tragedy in childhood is a requirement to be a good writer? I wonder how many famous writers actually had a happy life? I'm sure you will uncover some for us!
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thank you so much, Helen, for this! You're spot on about the requirement to be a great writer I think. His quote: "Writing is a vacation from living." When his hand shook so much he couldn't write, he almost literally waited for death. I thought Dolly Parton might brighten things up but she came from abject poverty...so it's going to be a long search, I'm afraid! Thanks again, Debbie x
Comment from jake cosmos aller
nice tribute to Eugene O Niel. I love this poetic tributes you are writing. You should collect them and publish them - it is publishable for sure. I like the last line.
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023
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nice tribute to Eugene O Niel. I love this poetic tributes you are writing. You should collect them and publish them - it is publishable for sure. I like the last line.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023
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Thank you so much, Jake! This one was a bit of a headache. I would really like to do Arthur Miller but, after just completing a dribble flash, I have to wonder why I'm making my life so hard here:( Thank you so much for your support and suggestions. Debbie
Comment from Jacob1395
This is a writer I've never heard of and you really bring his story to life well, in an engaging way that wants to make me find out more about him. It is sad how he never has the perfect family life and this comes through strongly in your piece, despite the success that comes his way, it feels as though he was quite lonely. I loved reading your piece and finding out more about this writer.
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023
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This is a writer I've never heard of and you really bring his story to life well, in an engaging way that wants to make me find out more about him. It is sad how he never has the perfect family life and this comes through strongly in your piece, despite the success that comes his way, it feels as though he was quite lonely. I loved reading your piece and finding out more about this writer.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023
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Thank you so much, Jacob, for this lovely review and all your thoughts which mean so much to me! I'm absolutely delighted that it spurred you on to learn more about him. You're so kind. Debbie
Comment from Richard Montfort Cary
Debbie,
A towering poem written for a towering man of the Theatre. I had the awesome honor of building the set for Long Day's Journey Into Night for the now defunct StageWest in West Springfield MA back in the late 1960s. That production/play still lives on in my being. A great and profound theatre voice. Thank you for the gigantic poem and the author notes!!!
Richard
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023
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Debbie,
A towering poem written for a towering man of the Theatre. I had the awesome honor of building the set for Long Day's Journey Into Night for the now defunct StageWest in West Springfield MA back in the late 1960s. That production/play still lives on in my being. A great and profound theatre voice. Thank you for the gigantic poem and the author notes!!!
Richard
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023
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Wow, thank you so much, Richard! How incredible that you were involved in building the set. I'm absolutely delighted this verse meant so much to you. There have been varied comments but a lot of members are not at all familiar with him which surprises me although maybe he doesn't have the same stardom as, say, Tennessee Williams. But I treasure your review and thoughts. Debbie
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Yes!!!
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I can't remember what you're saying "Yes" to.
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Your fine Post and Reply... Hard to conceive that others may not know of this great playwright... Eugene!
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Well I thought so, especially in the US.
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I mean really...! Thanks again.
Comment from Lea Tonin1
Wow you really kick some butt on this one! My word choices can be somewhat lacking I know l o l. You put a lot into this one Debbie really. Odes to other people, historical figures, important issues. Do you do all those things very versatile? Andtelligent writer you are... There is only one thing to be done with such a writing as this! Hope you enjoy your day!
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023
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Wow you really kick some butt on this one! My word choices can be somewhat lacking I know l o l. You put a lot into this one Debbie really. Odes to other people, historical figures, important issues. Do you do all those things very versatile? Andtelligent writer you are... There is only one thing to be done with such a writing as this! Hope you enjoy your day!
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023
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Thank you so much for this exceptional review, Lea! I must admit I start these things and then wonder why I'm giving myself such a headache. Dribble Flash Fiction is sooo much kinder to me! But I really appreciate your lovely thoughts. Bless you, Debbie x
Comment from Ulla
Oh, Debbie, this is a fantastic poem depicting the poet Eugene O'Neill' life and road to fame. His life was not an easy ride and he died as he was brought up, in a hotel room. What a fate! Thank you so much fore sharing this. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023
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Oh, Debbie, this is a fantastic poem depicting the poet Eugene O'Neill' life and road to fame. His life was not an easy ride and he died as he was brought up, in a hotel room. What a fate! Thank you so much fore sharing this. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023
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Thank you, Ulla, for this excellent review! I'm delighted you enjoyed it. His life was far from easy and he just poured it all into his writing: "Writing is a vacation from living." When his hand shook so much he couldn't hold the pen, his writing ended and, sadly, he just waited for death. But a brilliant catalyst for theatrical change. Take care Debbie
